Moderated by:Michael Ratner, Specialist in Energy Policy, Congressional Research Service

Since the discovery of natural gas deposits in the Mediterranean basin in 2010, wars of words and border-litigation battles have emerged among the regional stakeholders, including Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. This roundtable of experts shed light on the struggle that has emerged in the region following the discovery of oil and gas reserves, especially its impact on Lebanon.

Panelists explore the geopolitical challenges and opportunities arising from energy resource exploration in the eastern Mediterranean as well as the legal aspects surrounding maritime border disputes and exclusive-economic-zones and commercial benefits.